Non-pneumatic support structure

ABSTRACT

An adjustable rim includes a first annular ring rotatable about a first axis, the first ring having radially extending first linear slots circumferentially spaced about the first ring, a first annular adjustment hoop rotatable about the first axis, the first hoop having circumferentially and radially extending first arcuate slots spaced about the first hoop, a second annular ring rotatable about a second axis, the second ring having radially extending second linear slots circumferentially spaced about the second ring, a second annular adjustment hoop rotatable about the second axis, the second hoop having circumferentially and radially extending second arcuate slots spaced about the second hoop, and an axially extending arcuate member having a first axial end and a second axial end. The first axial end is circumferentially and radially aligned with a first linear slot of the first annular ring and a first arcuate slot of the first annular hoop. The first linear slot and the first arcuate slot interact to move part of the arcuate member in only a radial direction.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to wheel/tire assemblies, and moreparticularly, to non-pneumatic wheel/tire assemblies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Radial pneumatic tires rely on the ply reinforcement to carry andtransfer the load between the rim and the belt layer. These ply cordsneed to be tensioned to carry the load. Tensioning of these ply cords isachieved with the pressurized air in the inner chamber of the tire. Ifair pressure is lost, load carrying capacity of a pneumatic tiredecreases significantly. Preventing the slow or sudden air pressure losshas been a challenge for the tire makers. One proposed solution is touse non-pneumatic tires. A top loader non-pneumatic tire can performsimilar to a pneumatic tire if its durability, speed rating/limit andload capacity can be increased to the levels of a pneumatic tire.

Many top loader non-pneumatic tires rely on the polymeric spokes tocarry the load of the vehicle. Spokes transfer the load from the rim tothe shear band. Due to the characteristics of the polymeric materialsused in the spokes of these tires, performance of these tires arelimited. It is an object of the present invention to overcome thislimitation and increase the load carrying capacity and durability ofthese spokes and hence the performance of the top loader non-pneumatictire.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An adjustable rim in accordance with the present invention includes afirst annular ring rotatable about a first axis, the first ring havingradially extending first linear slots circumferentially spaced about thefirst ring, a first annular adjustment hoop rotatable about the firstaxis, the first hoop having circumferentially and radially extendingfirst arcuate slots spaced about the first hoop, a second annular ringrotatable about a second axis, the second ring having radially extendingsecond linear slots circumferentially spaced about the second ring, asecond annular adjustment hoop rotatable about the second axis, thesecond hoop having circumferentially and radially extending secondarcuate slots spaced about the second hoop, and an axially extendingarcuate member having a first axial end and a second axial end. Thefirst axial end is circumferentially and radially aligned with a firstlinear slot of the first annular ring and a first arcuate slot of thefirst annular hoop. The first linear slot and the first arcuate slotinteract to move part of the arcuate member in only a radial direction.

According to another aspect of the adjustable rim, the second axial endis circumferentially and radially aligned with a second linear slot ofthe second annular ring and a second arcuate slot of the annular secondhoop, the second slot and the second arcuate slot interacting to movepart of the arcuate member in only a radial direction.

According to still another aspect of the adjustable rim, rotation of thefirst annular hoop relative to the first annular ring about the firstaxis moves the first axial end of the arcuate member in the radialdirection.

According to yet another aspect of the adjustable rim, rotation of thesecond annular hoop relative to the second annular ring about the secondaxis moves the second axial end of the arcuate member in the radialdirection.

According to still another aspect of the adjustable rim, the first axisand the second axis are coincident.

According to yet another aspect of the adjustable rim, the arcuatemember engages a spoke structure and radial movement of the arcuatemember alters an amount of radial tension placed on the spoke structure.

According to still another aspect of the adjustable rim, a supportmember is attached to the first annular ring. The support member has acylindrical hub and radially protruding extensions projecting radiallyoutward from the cylindrical hub.

According to yet another aspect of the adjustable rim, the arcuatemember has an axial bore extending through the arcuate member.

According to still another aspect of the adjustable rim, a shaft bolt isaxially inserted through the first annular ring, the first annular hoop,the axial bore of the arcuate member, the second annular ring, and thesecond annular hoop.

According to yet another aspect of the adjustable rim, a fastener nut isfixed to the shaft bolt thereby axially securing the first annular ring,the first annular hoop, the arcuate member, the second annular ring, andthe annular second hoop together.

A first method in accordance with the present invention adjusts radialtension placed on a spoke structure. The method includes the steps of:rolling a first annular ring about an axis; fixing the first annularring to a first annular hoop; rolling a second annular ring about theaxis; fixing the second annular ring to a second annular hoop; attachingthe spoke structure to the first annular ring and the second annularring; rotating the first annular hoop relative to the first annular ringabout the axis; rotating the second annular hoop relative to the secondannular ring about the axis; moving an arcuate member radially relativeto the axis; and altering radial tension of the spoke structure.

According to another aspect of the first method, another step extends afirst linear slot in the first annular ring.

According to still another aspect of the first method, another stepextends a first arcuate slot in the first annular hoop.

According to yet another aspect of the first method, another stepradially moves an arcuate member relative to the axis by interactionbetween the first linear slot and the first arcuate slot.

According to another aspect of the first method, another step moves anarcuate member relative to the axis by circumferential and radial motionbetween the first linear slot relative to the first arcuate slot.

A second method in accordance with the present invention adjusts radialtension placed on a spoke structure. The method includes the steps of:rolling a first annular ring and a second annular ring about an axis;attaching the spoke structure to the first annular ring and the secondannular ring; unfixing the first annular ring from a first annular hoop;unfixing the second annular ring from a second annular hoop; rotatingthe first annular hoop relative to the first annular ring about theaxis; rotating the second annular hoop relative to the second annularring about the axis; altering radial tension of the spoke structure;refixing the first annular ring to the first annular hoop; and refixingthe second annular ring to the second annular hoop.

According to another aspect of the second method, another step aligns anarcuate member circumferentially and radially with the first annularring, the first annular hoop, the second annular ring, and the secondannular hoop.

According to still another aspect of the second method, another steprotates the first annular hoop relative to the first annular ring aboutthe first axis.

According to yet another aspect of the second method, another steprotates the second annular hoop relative to the second annular ringabout the axis.

According to still another aspect of the second method, another stepmoves the arcuate member relative to the axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more clearly understood by the followingdescription of some examples thereof, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of part of an example assembly inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of another part of the exampleassembly added to the part of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of still another part of theexample assembly added to the parts of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of yet another part of theexample assembly added to the parts of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of yet another part of theexample assembly added to the parts of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of yet another part of theexample assembly added to the parts of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of yet another part of theexample assembly added to the parts of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of still another part of theexample assembly added to the parts of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is another schematic perspective view of the example assembly ofFIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a schematic elevation view of the example assembly of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the example assemblyof FIGS. 8 & 9;

FIG. 12 is a schematic section view of an example tire for use with theexample assembly of FIGS. 1-11;

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of the example assembly of FIG.3 and the example tire of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of the example assembly of FIG.6 and the example tire of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of the example assembly of FIGS.9 & 10 and the example tire of FIG. 12.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

A conventional tire assembly, such as that described in US 2004/0069385and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/615,888, incorporated herein byreference in their entirety, and may have an outer ring, such as a shearband, flexibly connected to a central hub by means of lightweightcomposite springs. The springs may be plates fixed to the ring and tothe hub. The hub may contain a speed reduction gear unit and/or anelectric motor and may have a suspension mechanism for connecting avehicle chassis to each wheel. The ring may be constructed from aflexible composite material, such as carbon fiber reinforced nylonmaterial and have twin rubber tires and a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced-apart radial cleats which engage the ground and provide improvedtraction. The hub may also be formed from a carbon fiber reinforcedcomposite material. Another conventional wheel may have a rubber stripwith a molded tread bonded to a composite ring for improved grip.Further, the springs interconnecting the ring and hub may be S-shapedlightweight composite springs.

Another conventional tire assembly may be formed from a lightweightcomposite material, such as carbon fiber reinforced polyamide. Theassembly may have a cylindrical central hub and a circular outerflexible rim mounted on the central hub by an endless looped spring bandextending between the central hub and the circular rim. Six radial loopsmay be defined by the spring band. The spring band may be attached tothe central hub and to the circular rim by any suitable means, such asadhesion, cohesion, soldering and/or mechanical fixing by means ofbolts, rivets, and/or clamps.

As shown in FIG. 12, an example tire assembly 300 for use with a rim inaccordance with the present invention may have a spoke structure 310defining a plurality of alternating closed egg-shaped cavities 311 andopen rectangular inlet openings 312 disposed concentrically about theinner central rim allowing the spoke structure to deflect under loadthereby defining a suitable balance between flexibility for ride comfortand traction within a footprint of the assembly 300 and stiffness forvehicle handling, low rolling resistance, and low heat build-up withinthe spoke structure. The spoke structure 310 may further define aplurality of triangular openings 345 disposed at the outer flexible ringand between the cavities 311 and the inlet openings 312 (FIG. 12).

The cavities 311 of the spoke structure 310 may further define openingsfor arms of an inner central rim to extend therethrough and secure thespoke structure to the inner central rim, as described above. The armsmay engage portions of the spoke structure 310 in a mechanicalinterlocking arrangement. The inner central rim may further includeplates that, along with the arms may sandwich portions of the spokestructure 310 and create a further frictional and/or adhesive securementbetween the inner central rim and the spoke structure. The spokestructure 310 may comprise a homogenous or heterogeneous polymer and/ora filled polymer.

Spokes 315 of the spoke structure 310 may be curved inwardly oroutwardly for mitigating or enhancing buckling of the spokes. The spokes315 may include one or more reinforcing layers 319. The layer(s) 319 maybe constructed of single end dipped cords, conventional pneumatic tireply/cord arrangements, short fibers, and/or polymeric film. Further,these constructions may be PET, nylon 6, nylon 6,6, rayon, steel, glassfibers, carbon fiber, aramid, and/or a hybrid construction of thesematerials. The cords may be between 400 denier to 9000 denier. Thepolymeric film may be from 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm thick. The reinforcement inthe spokes 315 may be oriented at angle between 0 degrees and 90degrees. The spokes 315 may be continuously reinforced across theirentire axial length. Continuous reinforcement layer(s) 319 may extendradially outward to multiple locations adjacent to a shear band 343 atthe outer flexible ring. Other reinforcement layers 319 may extend aboutthe interior of the closed cavities 311. The continuous reinforcementlayer(s) 319 may be integrated into the spoke structure 310 and theouter flexible ring. Alternatively, the shear band 343 may be attachedto the spoke structure 310 by between 20 and 60 connection points (e.g.,cohesion, adhesive, fused, welded, etc.).

Each cavity 311 and inlet opening 312 may have a common cross sectionalprofile about the axis of rotation of the assembly. Further, each cavity311 and inlet opening 312 may have a common axial length equal to auniform axial thickness of the spoke structure 310. Each cavity 311 maybe curvedly shaped to prevent “pinch” points on the reinforcementlayer(s) 319 and mitigate compressive stress concentrations on thereinforcement layer(s). The number of cavities 311 may be between 15 and60 for large scale assemblies.

As shown in FIGS. 1-11 & 13-15, an adjustable rim 200 in accordance withthe present invention may include a support member 210 having acylindrical hub 211 and radially protruding extensions 212 (10 shown inFIG. 1) projecting radially outward from the hub. The rim 200 mayfurther include a first annular ring 220 having radially extending slots221 (10 shown in FIG. 1) circumferentially spaced about the first ringand bolt holes 222 (10 shown in FIG. 1) spaced circumferentially betweenthe slots. Stub bolts 230 may fasten the first ring 220 to the supportmember 210 (FIG. 2).

A plurality of axially extending arcuate members 240 may becircumferentially aligned with the slots 222 of the first ring 220. Eacharcuate member 240 may have bores 241 extending axially through eacharcuate member (one end shown in FIG. 3). Shaft bolts 235 may be axiallyinserted through circumferentially and radially extending arcuateapertures 251 in a first rotatable annular adjustment hoop 250 (FIG. 4),the slots 221 of the first ring 220, and the bores 241 of the arcuatemembers 240 (FIG. 11). Axial fastener nuts 260 may be fixed to the shaftbolts 235 thereby axially securing (FIG. 5) the support member 210/firstring 220, the first hoop 250 (FIG. 10), the first hoop 250, and the restof the rim 200, as described below.

The bolts 235 may previously have been inserted through radiallyextending slots 271 of a second annular ring 270 and radially extendingarcuate apertures 281 in a second rotatable annular adjustment hoop 280(FIG. 6-7). The nuts 260 may then be fixed to the protruding bolts 235thereby axially securing (FIG. 7-10) the second ring 270 and the secondhoop 280 to the support member 210/first ring 220, and the first hoop250 (FIG. 11).

As shown in FIGS. 13-15, the rim 200 may attach to the example tire 300in a similar manner to the assembly of the rim. The steps of FIGS. 1-4may be completed initially to form an initial assembly 1300. Then theexample tire 300 may be radially and circumferentially aligned with theassembly 1300 (FIG. 13). Next, the steps of FIGS. 5-10 may be performedsuch that the arcuate members 240 of the rim 200 extend axially throughthe closed cavities 311 with the first ring 220 and the second ring 270axially securing the entire rim and tire assembly 1500 together (14-15).Before completely tightening, or fixing, the nuts 260 to the bolts 235to rigidly and axially connect all the parts of the assembly 1500 orafter loosening, or unfixing, the nuts from the bolts, the radialtension placed on the spoke structure 310 of the tire 300 by the arcuatemembers 240 may be adjusted by rotating the first and second hoops 250,280 relative to the first and second rings 220, 270 such that theinteraction between the angled arcuate apertures 251, 281 and the radialslots 221, 271 first and second rings 221, 271 move the bolts/nuts 235,260 and the arcuate members 241 radially inward or outward. The radialslots 221, 271 may keep the bolts/nuts 235, 260 and the arcuate members241 from moving in any direction but radially. Both arcuate apertures251, 281 may have equal and opposite shapes and sizes such that an equalrotation in the same direction of the first hoop 250 relative to thefirst ring 220 and the second hoop 280 relative to the second ring 270may produce an equal amount of radial movement at each axial end of thearcuate members 240.

Variations in the present invention are possible in light of thedescription of it provided herein. While certain representative examplesand details have been shown for the purpose of illustrating the subjectinvention, it will be apparent to those skilled in this art that variouschanges and modifications can be made therein without departing from thescope of the subject invention. It is, therefore, to be understood thatchanges can be made in the particular examples described which will bewithin the full scope of the present invention as defined by thefollowing appended claims. Further, the present invention is not limitedto the examples hereinbefore described which may be varied in bothconstruction and detail within the full scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A method of adjusting radial tension placed on aspoke structure, the method including the steps of: rolling a firstannular ring about an axis; fixing the first annular ring to a firstannular hoop; rolling a second annular ring about the axis; fixing thesecond annular ring to a second annular hoop; attaching the spokestructure to the first annular ring and the second annular ring;rotating the first annular hoop relative to the first annular ring aboutthe axis; rotating the second annular hoop relative to the secondannular ring about the axis; moving an arcuate member radially relativeto the axis; and altering radial tension of the spoke structure.
 2. Themethod as set forth in claim 1 further including the step of extending afirst linear slot in the first annular ring.
 3. The method as set forthin claim 2 further including the step of extending a first arcuate slotin the first annular hoop.
 4. The method as set forth in claim 3 furtherincluding the step of moving an arcuate member relative to the axis byinteraction between the first linear slot and the first arcuate slot. 5.The method as set forth in claim 3 further including the step of movingan arcuate member relative to the axis by circumferential and radialmotion between the first linear slot relative to the first arcuate slot.6. A method of adjusting radial tension placed on a spoke structure, themethod including the steps of: rolling a first annular ring and a secondannular ring about an axis; attaching the spoke structure to the firstannular ring and the second annular ring; unfixing the first annularring from a first annular hoop; unfixing the second annular ring from asecond annular hoop; rotating the first annular hoop relative to thefirst annular ring about the axis; rotating the second annular hooprelative to the second annular ring about the axis; altering tension ofthe spoke structure; refixing the first annular ring to the firstannular hoop; and refixing the second annular ring to the second annularhoop.
 7. The method as set forth in claim 6 further including the stepof aligning an arcuate member circumferentially and radially with thefirst annular ring, the first annular hoop, the second annular ring, andthe second annular hoop.
 8. The method as set forth in claim 7 furtherincluding the step of rotating the first annular hoop relative to thefirst annular ring about the first axis.
 9. The method as set forth inclaim 8 further including the step of rotating the second annular hooprelative to the second annular ring about the axis.
 10. The method asset forth in claim 6 further including the step of moving the arcuatemember relative to the axis.